Correlation between different retinal layers with visual acuity in diabetic retinopathy patients with clinically significant macular edema

Purpose: To study the corelation between outer retinal layer thickness (ORL), outer photoreceptor segment thickness (PROS), and central macular thickness (CMT) with best?corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in patients having clinically significant macular edema (CSME) and compare these parameters with normal patients. Methods: This was a prospective, nonrandomized, observational, comparative study done during the period of January to May 2019. The study included 60 eyes of 36 patients. The patient population was segregated into two Groups: Group ? (30 normal eyes of 15 normal patients) and Group ?? (30 eyes of 21 diabetic patients) with CSME. The comparison between ORL, PROS, and CMT was made between both the groups, and the correlation between ORL thickness, PROS thickness, and CMT with BCVA in Group ?? was studied. Results: The mean age in Group I was 52.6+10.66 years, and 53.42+8.15 years in Group II. The male/ female ratio was 1.1:1 in Group I and 4:3 in Group II. The mean CMT was greater in Group ?? (330.13 ± 37.01) than in Group ? (222.20 ± 12.30). The mean ORL thickness was greater in Group ? (97.73 ± 6.92) than in Group ?? (80.63 ± 9.03). The PROS thickness was statistically significant in Group ? (35.05 ± 3.4) than in Group ?? (28.57 ± 3.53). There was a strong correlation between BCVA and ORL thickness (r = ?0.580, P < 0.001) and more strong correlation between BCVA and PROS thickness in Group ?? (r = ?0.611, P < 0.000). There was a moderate correlation between BCVA and CMT (r = 0.410, P < 0.025), and all results were statistically significant. Conclusion: Both ORL and PROS thickness were greater in healthy normal eyes than in eyes with CSME. BCVA was strongly correlated with PROS and ORL thickness and moderately associated with CMT.

Research progress on risk factors for radiologically isolated syndrome conversion and its clinical management / 中华神经科杂志

Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) is considered as an imaging marker of the prodromal stage of multiple sclerosis (MS), and approximately one-third of patients might convert to clinically isolated syndrome or clinically definite multiple sclerosis within 5 years after diagnosis. Although it still remains inconclusive whether or not disease-modifying therapies for RIS need to be initiated, effective identification of prognostic factors for conversion would be of great benefit for early screening of high-risk patients and subsequent clinical precision management. Combined with the latest research progress at home and abroad, this review summarizes the prognostic factors for conversion of RIS to MS from the aspects of demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, imaging manifestations, cerebrospinal fluid and ophthalmological examinations. Given that disease-modifying therapies for RIS are still in clinical research stage and there are no definite recommendations to date, this article expounds the research progress on clinical monitoring, therapeutics and prevention of disease progression, which aims to provide neurologists with reference suggestions on clinical management of RIS.

Risk factors of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy and pancreaticojejunostomy / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To analyze the risk factors of clinically-relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and penetrating pancreaticojejunostomy (PPJ).Methods:The clinical data of 108 patients who underwent PD and PPJ in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College from January 2017 to October 2022 were analyzed retrospectively, including 65 males and 43 females, aged 65.5 (54.2, 72.0) years. The incidences of POPF, biliary fistula, abdominal bleeding and other related complications were reviewed. The related factors of CR-POPF were analyzed by univariate analysis, and the statistically significant factors were included in multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:A total of 108 patients were successfully treated with PD, including laparoscopic PD in 76 cases (70.4%) and open PD in 32 cases (29.6%). PPJ was performed in PD, including the continuous fashion in 39 cases (36.1%), intermittent fashion in 49 cases (45.4%) and modified continuous fashion in 20 cases (18.5%). The operation time was 390.0 (314.0, 480.0) min, the intraoperative blood loss was 200.0 (100.0, 384.0) ml, the postoperative hospital stay was 12.0 (10.0, 15.0) d, and the incidence of POPF (grade B + C) was 11.1% (12/108). Body mass index, pancreatic CT value and pancreatic duct size were the significant factors of CR-POPF (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age ( OR=0.895, 95% CI: 0.822-0.975), pancreatic CT value ( OR=0.812, 95% CI: 0.698-0.946) and pancreatic duct size ( OR=0.457, 95% CI: 0.220-0.952) were risk factors of CR-POPF after PPJ (all P<0.05). Conclusion:PPJ is a safe method of pancreaticoenterostomy, and CR-POPF may be related to younger patients, lower pancreatic CT value and the smaller pancreatic duct size.

Application of ultrasound shear wave elastography in the prediction of clinically relevant post-operative pancreatic fistula after pancreatectomy: a prospective study / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To quantitatively evaluate the stiffness of pancreatic parenchyma and lesions by virtual touch tissue imaging and quantification (VTIQ) technique, and to investigate the potential usefulness of ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) in the prediction of clinically relevant post-operative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) after pancreatectomy.Methods:Patients who scheduled to receive pancreatectomy were prospectively enrolled in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from March 2021 to December 2021. VTIQ assessment was applied to patients within one week before the scheduled surgery to make quantitative SWE evaluation of target tissue. The SWV values of body part pancreatic parenchyma and lesions were measured and recorded. The palpation stiffness of pancreas was qualitatively evaluated during the operation by the surgeon.CR-POPF was diagnosed according to 2016 International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula (ISGPF) standard.Grade B/C pancreatic fistula was defined as CR-POPF positive. Recognized peri-operative risk factors of CR-POPF were analyzed. ROC curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of SWV value in predicting CR-POPF.Results:A total of 72 patients were finally enrolled in this study, including 47 (65.3%, 47/72) patients who received pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and 25 (34.7%, 25/72) patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy. CR-POPF occurred in 22 (30.6%, 22/72) patients after pancreatectomy. The SWV value of body part pancreatic parenchyma was significant lower in CR-POPF positive group than in CR-POPF negative group ( P<0.001). There was no significant difference in lesion SWV value between CR-POPF positive and negative groups ( P=0.664). Besides, the palpation stiffness was no difference between the two groups ( P=0.689). Taking SWV value of pancreatic parenchyma >1.16 m/s as a cut-off value for predicting CR-POPF, the area under the ROC curve (AUROC) was 0.816 with 0.760 of sensitivity, 0.634 of specificity, 67.5% of positive predictive value and 72.5% of negative predictive value, respectively. Conclusions:The VTIQ method may improve the objectivity and accuracy of CR-POPF prediction via pre-operative, non-invasive and quantitative evaluation of pancreatic stiffness, which has potential value in clinical applications.

Establishment of a machine learning model for the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer based on transrectal contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters and clinical data / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To establish a machine learning model for the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer based on transrectal contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters and clinically relevant data.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 151 patients in Chongqing University Cancer Hospital who underwent transrectal contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and transrectal ultrasound-guided needle biopsy from November 2018 to September 2021. The time intensity curve was drawn using VueBox software and 12 parameters such as rise time, peak time, average transit time, peak intensity, and rising slope were quantitatively analyzed. Age, total prostate-specific antigen, free prostate-specific antigen, free prostate-specific antigen ratio, volume, prostate-specific antigen density, and transrectal contrast-enhanced ultrasonography parameters, a total of 18 characteristic parameters, were analyzed and screened through relevant attribute values and information gain attribute values. The screening features were trained and tested by the machine learning single algorithm and integrated algorithm, and then the model was evaluated by the F1 value and the area under the ROC curve(AUC).Results:Using the related attribute value and the information gain attribute value, 12 variables and 5 variables were screened out respectively to establish a machine learning model. The model established by the ensemble algorithm was better than the single algorithm. For the two variable selection methods, the AUC (0.810 vs 0.789) and F1 values (0.748 vs 0.742) of the Bagging ensemble algorithm model, which basic algorithm was decision tree, were the highest, followed by Logistic regression and support vector machine(SVM) in order of AUC and F1 values.Conclusions:Based on transrectal contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters and clinical data, the Bagging ensemble model based on decision tree has the best performance in diagnosing clinically significant prostate cancer.

Risk factors and predictive effectiveness of PI-RADS after targeted combined system puncture for CsPCa patients with 3 points / 现代泌尿外科杂志

【Objective】 To investigate the risk factors and predictive effectiveness of prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) score for patients with clinically significant prostate cancer (CsPCa) whose PI-RADS score was 3, so as to provide evidence for the diagnosis and treatment. 【Methods】 The clinical and multi-parameter magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) data of 153 CsPCa patients treated during Jan.2017 and Dec.2021 whose PI-RADS score was 3 were retrospectively analyzed. With PI-RADS score of 3 as the independent risk factor for CsPCa, the other relevant independent risk factors in predicting CsPCa were evaluated. 【Results】 Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density and apparent dispersion coefficient (ADC) were independent risk factors for the diagnosis of CsPCa (P<0.05). Analysis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that combined PSA density and ADC were more effective than PSA density and ADC alone (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 The combination of PSA density and ADC can guide clinicians to identify high-risk CsPCa patients from patients with PI-RADS score of 3 points.

Changes of intestinal wall barrier function and its correlation with susceptibility to infection in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To investigate the changes of intestinal wall barrier function and its correlation with infection occurrence in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension. Methods: 263 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension were split into: the clinically evident portal hypertension (CEPH) combined with infection group (n = 74); CEPH group (n = 104); and Non-CEPH group (n = 85). Among them, 20 CEPH patients and 12 non-CEPH patients in non-infection status were subjected to sigmoidoscopy. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of trigger receptor-1 (TREM-1), CD68, CD14, the inducible nitric oxide synthase molecule, and Escherichia coli (E.coli) in the medullary cells of the colon mucosa. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of soluble myeloid cell trigger receptor-1 (sTREM-1), soluble leukocyte differentiation antigen-14 subtype (sCD14-ST) and intestinal wall permeability index enteric fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP). Fisher's exact probability method, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis-H test, Bonferroni method, and Spearman correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results: The serum sTREM-1 and I-FABP levels were higher in CEPH patients than those of non-CEPH patients in the non-infectious state (P < 0.05), but the difference in blood sCD14-ST levels was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Serum levels of sTREM-1, sCD14-ST, and I-FABP in infected patients were higher than those in patients without a concurrent infection (P < 0.05). Serum sCD14-ST levels were positively correlated with serum sTREM-1, C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT), and sTREM-1 levels were also positively correlated with CRP and PCT (r > 0.5, P < 0.001). The rates of CD68, inducible nitric oxide synthase, CD14-positive cells, and E.coli-positive glands were higher in the intestinal mucosa of the CEPH group than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Spearman's correlation analysis showed that the rate of E.coli-positive glands in CEPH patients was positively correlated with the expression of molecular markers CD68 and CD14 in the lamina propria macrophages. Conclusion: Patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension have increased intestinal permeability and inflammatory cells, accompanied by bacterial translocation. Serum sCD14-ST and sTREM-1 can be used as indicators to predict and evaluate the occurrence of infection in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension.

First-line biologic therapy with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors for psoriatic arthritis: a prospective observational study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects multiple joints. It is associated with psoriasis and treated with synthetic and biologic drugs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes of patients who received biologic therapy with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in terms of effectiveness, safety, functionality, and quality of life. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective observational study was performed at a single center in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS: Patients with PsA who received their first TNF inhibitor treatment were followed up for 12 months. Disease activity was measured using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Functionality was measured using the Health Questionnaire Assessment (HAQ), and quality of life was evaluated using the European Quality of Life Five Dimensions (EQ-5D). Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of the clinical response at 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 143 patients treated with adalimumab or etanercept were evaluated. Most of the clinical measures were significantly improved at 12 months. However, 31%-51% of the patients did not achieve good clinical control. No differences were observed between adalimumab and etanercept, except for poor functionality at 12 months among patients treated with etanercept. The main predictors of a worse clinical response were female sex, etanercept use, poor functionality, or lower quality of life at baseline. The main adverse reactions were alopecia, headache, injection site reaction, sinusitis, flu, dyslipidemia, and infections. CONCLUSION: TNF inhibitor therapy was effective and safe. However, despite improvements in clinical measures, most patients did not achieve satisfactory control of the disease.

Diferencia Mínima Clínicamente Importante: Centrando la Toma de Decisiones en el Paciente / Clinically Important Minimal Difference: Centering Decision Making on the Patient

Introducción. Las condiciones de salud evaluadas en la práctica clínica o la investigación requieren ser interpretadas más allá de la significancia estadística. Por ello, el objetivo de este artículo especial es presentar elementos que permitan entender la diferencia mínima clínicamente importante (DCMI). La DCMI se define como la diferencia más pequeña en la puntuación en cualquier dominio o desenlace de interés que los pacientes son capaces de percibir como beneficiosa. Estudios que incorporan la percepción de los pacientes en la valoración de los hallazgos, permiten valorar de mejor manera la evidencia y con ello una mejor toma de decisiones. Es necesario seguir investigando e incorporando la DCMI, ya que, si bien en el último tiempo ha habido un avance en esta línea, aun es insuficiente en todos los ámbitos de la salud, la rehabilitación y la kinesiología.

Background. Health conditions evaluated in clinical practice or research need to be interpreted beyond statistical significance. Therefore, the objective of this special article is to present elements that allow us to understand the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). The MCID is defined as the smallest difference in score in any domain or outcome of interest that patients are able to perceive as beneficial. Studies that incorporate the perception of the patients in the evaluation of the findings, allow a better evaluation of the evidence and with it a better decision making. It is necessary to continue investigating and incorporating MCID, since, although there has been progress in this line in recent times, it is still insufficient in all areas of health, rehabilitation and kinesiology.

Self-management program (parqve) improves quality of life in severe knee osteoarthritis / Programa de autogestão (parqve) melhora a qualidade de vida na osteoartrite grave do joelho

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effects of the self-management program PARQVE in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: Prospective randomized controlled clinical trial with 65 grade IV Kelgren & Lawrence (K&L) KOA patients who were allocated into groups: Control (CG) and Intervention (IG). Both groups received usual care. IG also participated in two days of multi-professional interventions about OA (causes and treatment) and received the program's DVD and book. Standing X-rays were obtained at inclusion and Ahlback's classification was registered. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index (WOMAC), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Lequesne, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were obtained at inclusion, and after 6, 12 and 24 months. Results: Groups were similar at baseline, despite higher WOMAC stiffness scores and a greater number of Ahlback's grade 4 and 5 in the IG. Only the IG improved WOMAC and total functions (p<0.001) during the study period above 12%, but did not reach the minimal clinically important difference of 20%. Best results were in one year. Non-significant improvements were observed without changes in body composition (P>0.05). Conclusions: Patients with severe KOA have mild to moderate function and quality of life improvement due to self-management program (PARQVE). Level of Evidence I; Therapeutic Studies; Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos do programa de autocuidado PARQVE em pacientes com osteoartrite grave de joelho (OAJ). Métodos: Ensaio clínico prospectivo randomizado controlado com 65 pacientes Kelgren & Lawrence (K&L) grau IV que foram alocados nos grupos: Controle (GC) e Intervenção (GI). Ambos os grupos receberam cuidados habituais. O IG também participou de dois dias de intervenções multiprofissionais sobre OA (causas e tratamento) e seus membros receberam o DVD e o livro do programa. Raios-X em pé foram obtidos na inclusão e a classificação de Ahlback foi registrada. Western Ontario e McMaster Universities Index (WOMAC), Escala de classificação numérica (ECN), Lequesne, peso e índice de massa corporal (IMC) foram obtidos na inclusão, e aos 6, 12 e 24 meses. Resultados: Os grupos eram semelhantes no início do estudo, apesar de maiores escores de rigidez WOMAC e um número maior de pacientes de Ahlback grau 4 e 5 no GI. Apenas o GI melhorou em WOMAC e função total (p <0,001) acima de 12% durante o período de estudo. Os melhores resultados foram após um ano. Melhorias não significativas foram observadas na composição corporal (P> 0,05). Conclusões: Pacientes com OAJ grave apresentam melhora leve a moderada de função e qualidade de vida pelo programa de autogerenciamento (PARQVE). Nível de Evidência I; Estudos Terapêuticos; Estudo Clínico Prospectivo e Randomizado.

Evolution of diagnostic criteria for clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis / 中华皮肤科杂志

At present, the Bohan and Peter criteria are the most widely used criteria for the diagnosis of dermatomyositis, which require patients to meet at least 2 criterion items for myositis in addition to typical skin lesions before the diagnosis of dermatomyositis. Clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) has been excluded due to the absence of myositis manifestations, resulting in a lack of early studies on this type of dermatomyositis, and little attention has been paid to it by clinicians. In addition, the diagnosis of CADM depends on the understanding of skin lesions and their histopathological manifestations. Because of atypical early skin lesions, CADM is often misdiagnosed as rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, lupus erythematosus and other diseases, which affects the early diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of patients. This article summarizes the evolution of diagnostic criteria for CADM, in order to promote its early recognition and diagnosis, and also to provide a basis for future clinical research.

Application of imaging techniques in diagnosis and severity assessment of dermatomyositis / 中华皮肤科杂志

Dermatomyositis is an autoimmune disease involving the skin and muscles. At the onset of dermatomyositis, it is difficult to make an early diagnosis due to atypical clinical manifestations and lack of serological markers. Skin and muscle lesions are associated with disease activity and prognosis in patients with dermatomyositis or clinical amyopathic dermatomyositis. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, dermoscopy and other imaging techniques may be used to assess skin and muscle involvements, which can not only improve the accuracy of early diagnosis of dermatomyositis, but also provide important reference for the assessment of disease activity and prognosis.

Establishing minimal clinically important differences of Quality of Life Instruments for Cancer Patients-Leukemia based on the distribution-based approach / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To develop the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of Quality of Life Instruments for Cancer Patients-Leukemia (QLICP-LE) (V2.0).Methods:The quality of life of 101 patients with leukemia in First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University and First People′s Hospital of Yunnan Province from October 2011 to May 2012 were measured. The QLICP-LE (V2.0) was used for data collection, and the MCID for the overall score and scores of various domains of QLICP-LE (V2.0) were established by using the distribution-based approach including indexes of effect size, standard error of measurement (SEM), reliable change index, standardized response mean and responsiveness statistic, and the recommended values of MCID were determined through the consensus method.Results:The MCID formulated by the above five indexes were as follows: the total scale 1.4-9.3, physical functional domain 1.6-15.6, psychological functional domain 2.9-15.6, social functional domain 2.2-18.0, common symptoms and side-effects domain 1.7-17.1, common module 1.8-10.0, and the specific module 1.1-12.1. Through the expert consensus method, it was recommended to use the MCID results calculated by 1.96SEM: the total scale was 4, physical domain was 8, psychological domain was 8, social domain was 9, common symptoms and side-effects domain was 9, common module was 4, and the specific module was 6.Conclusion:Each index of distribution-based approach has its own advantages and disadvantages, which can be selected based on actual conditions. There is clinical significance when the score change of QLICP-LE (V2.0) of leukemia patients after treatment exceeds its MCID.

Improvements in hip osteoarthritis with lavage, triamcinolone and hylan g-f20 / Melhora na osteoartrite de quadril por lavagem, triancinolona e hilano

ABSTRACT Objective: To verify whether the use of Hylan G-F20 improves saline lavage and triamcinolone injection results in the treatment of hip osteoarthritis (HOA). Methods: 82 patients with HOA categorized as grades II and III severity, according to Kellgren and Lawrence criteria, were randomized into the groups: lavage and triamcinolone (G0); lavage, triamcinolone, and 2 mL of hylan G-F20 (G1); lavage, triamcinolone, and 4mL of hylan G-F20 (G2); lavage, triamcinolone, and 6mL of hylan G-F20 (G3). The VAS, range of motion (ROM), WOMAC, and Lequesne questionnaires were administered at baseline, one, three, six, and twelve months post-injection. Results: All groups showed clinically relevant improvements (> 20%) between baseline and first month post-injection, maintaining subjective results throughout the study period (p < 0.001). We found no differences between groups in any subjective evaluations (p > 0.05, for all). G2 and G3 obtained improved flexion results up to a year (p = 0.028). Hylan groups presented an improved external rotation since the first postoperative month and maintained the results up to a year (G1, p = 0.041; G2, p = 0.007), whereas G0 showed no improvement (p = 0.336). Conclusion: Hip lavage and triamcinolone injection, with or without the use of hylan, improves pain, function, and quality of life up to a year in HOA. Hylan may improve ROM up to one year. Level of Evidence IB, Randomized clinical trial.

RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar se o Hylan G-F20 melhora os resultados da lavagem e injeção de triancinolona na osteoartrite do quadril (OAQ). Métodos: 82 pacientes com HOA Kellgren e Lawrence graus II e III foram randomizados: lavagem e triamcinolona (G0); lavagem, triancinolona e 2 mL de Hylan G-F20 (G1); lavagem, triamcinolona e 4 mL de Hylan G-F20 (G2); lavagem, triancinolona e 6 mL de Hylan G-F20 (G3). A escala visual analógica (EVA), amplitude de movimento (ADM), questionários Womac e Lequesne foram obtidos no início, um, três, seis e doze meses após a injeção. Resultados: Todos os grupos apresentaram melhora clinicamente relevante (> 20%) entre o início e o primeiro mês, mantendo resultados subjetivos durante o estudo (p <0,001). Não foram encontradas diferenças entre os grupos nas avaliações subjetivas (p > 0,05). A flexão aumentou no G2 e G3 até um ano (p = 0,028). A rotação externa melhorou nos grupos Hylan no primeiro mês, mantendo os resultados até um ano (G1, p = 0,041; G2, p = 0,007), enquanto G0 nunca melhorou (p = 0,336). Conclusão: Lavagem do quadril e injeção de triancinolona, com ou sem Hylan, melhoram a dor, função e qualidade de vida até um ano na OAQ. Hylan pode melhorar a ADM até um ano. Nível de evidência IB, Ensaio clínico randomizado.

Software for cerebrospinal fluid diagnostics and statistics / Software para el diagnóstico y estadísticas del líquido cefalorraquídeo

Background: In CSF analysis for diagnostics we have knowledge-based software for numerical and graphical data interpretation, but software programs for statistics are scarce. Free, stand-alone software programs that calculate all individual functions of CSF protein analysis and allow the statistical treatment of groups of diseases numerically and graphically are presented for relevant examples. Methods: Diagnosis of an intrathecal synthesis refers to the upper limit of the reference range, Qlim = Qmean +3SD, but statistical evaluation of its frequency is referred to Qmean+2SD. When quantifying intrathecal synthesis for statistics, either the absolute amount (IgGloc) or the relative intrathecal fraction (IgGIF) can be reported with reference to the mean reference curve, Qmean. The free software CSF research Tool for immunoglobulins allows diagnostic and statistic evaluations with Reibergrams and calculation of mean values and standard deviations from disease groups. The software FLC-K statistics for free light chains Kappa offers for diagnostics and statistics the numerical and graphical interpretation basis for statistical processing in exported Excel tables. A free "CSF-App" for Smartphones provides data calculation for diagnostics of single patients with examples of disease-related data patterns. Results: Patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) who were later diagnosed as MS showed no immunological differences to patients initially diagnosed as MS (same mean quantity of intrathecal synthesis in CIS and MS detectable for IgG and FLC-K). The frequently claimed diagnostically higher sensitivity of the FLCK analysis compared to IgG, can be explained by the up to 3-fold higher mean intrathecal fraction of FLC-K, corresponding to a higher frequency in the detection of intrathecal synthesis with FLCK analysis. Conclusions: With a knowledge-based quantification in CSF analysis, supported by knowledge-based software programs, scientifically and diagnostically important results can be obtained(AU)

Introducción: Los programas de software gratuitos y autónomos que calculan todas las funciones individuales del análisis de proteínas del líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) y permiten el tratamiento estadístico de grupos de enfermedades de forma numérica y gráfica se presentan como ejemplos relevantes. Métodos: Cuando se cuantifica la síntesis intratecal para la estadística, se puede informar la cantidad absoluta (IgGloc) o la fracción intratecal relativa (IgGIF) con referencia a la curva de referencia media, Qmean. El software gratuito "CSF research Tool" para inmunoglobulinas permite realizar evaluaciones diagnósticas y estadísticas con Reibergrams y calcular los valores medios y las desviaciones estándar de los grupos de enfermedades. El software FLC-K statistics para Free light chains Kappa ofrece para el diagnóstico y la estadística la base de interpretación numérica y gráfica para el procesamiento estadístico en tablas exportadas de Excel. El programa CSF-App para teléfonos inteligentes es gratuito y ofrece el cálculo de datos para el diagnóstico de pacientes individuales con ejemplos de patrones de datos relacionados con enfermedades. Resultados: Los pacientes con síndrome clínico aislado (SCA) que posteriormente fueron diagnosticados como EM no mostraron diferencias inmunológicas con respecto a los pacientes inicialmente diagnosticados como EM (la misma cantidad media de síntesis intratecal en el síndrome clínico aislado y EM detectable para IgG y FLC-K). La sensibilidad más elevada que se afirma con frecuencia en el diagnóstico del análisis de FLC-K en comparación con la IgG, puede explicarse por la fracción intratecal media hasta tres veces mayor de FLC-K, que corresponde a una mayor frecuencia en la detección de la síntesis intratecal con el análisis de FLC-K. Conclusiones: Con la cuantificación en el análisis del LCR se pueden obtener resultados importantes desde el punto de vista científico y diagnóstico(AU)

Estrategias de tratamiento para el edema macular diabético / Treatment strategies for diabetic macular edema

RESUMEN Se hace una revisión bibliográfica acerca del tratamiento que se utiliza en el edema macular clínicamente significativo. Esta es la primera causa de mala visión en los pacientes con diabetes mellitus. Entre las líneas de tratamiento tenemos los antiangiogénicos con sus variantes, los esteroides y la cirugía por medio de la vitrectomía pars plana con pelado de la membrana limitante interna. No existe hasta el momento el tratamiento ideal. La tomografía de coherencia óptica ayuda a predecir la visión final(AU)

ABSTRACT Treatment of clinically significant diabetic macular edema is the topic of our review. This condition is the first cause of vision loss in diabetic patients. Treatment options include anti-VEFG drugs, steroids and surgery (vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling). There is no an ideal treatment at present. Optic coherence tomography is a useful tool to predict final vision in these patients(AU)

Clinicopathological evaluation of the lesions of oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx and hypopharynx

Background: Early detection of malignancy substantially improves the survival in most head and neck cancers. A simpler and reliable screening method is something that is sought after by every clinician. Hence a clinicopathological study was carried out in the local population to study the pattern of various factors associated with the clinically suspicious lesions of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx and the hypopharynx. The role of exfoliative cytology was also evaluated.Methods: Our study, comprised of a total of 50 cases clinically suspicious of being either premalignant or malignant lesions of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx and the hypopharynx. All the patients were examined thoroughly and diagnosed clinically. Thereafter they were subjected to both exfoliative cytology and histopathology.Results: A malignant laryngeal lesion was the commonest. clinical diagnosis seen in 68% of the cases. On exfoliative cytology, the commonest finding was squamous cell carcinoma, seen in 34 (68%) cases. On histopathological examination, squamous cell carcinoma was found to be the commonest with 39 (78%) cases. The sensitivity and specificity of exfoliative cytology were observed as 84.6% and 90.90% respectively. The methods of diagnosis applied and their results were found to be significantly associated with a p value of 0.0119 which was <0.05.Conclusions: The commonest cause for the suspicious lesions of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx and hypopharynx was squamous cell carcinoma seen in 78% of the cases. Rapid assessment tools like exfoliative cytology can aid in early detection of malignant lesions.

Computed Tomography Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Clinically Suspected Lung Neoplasm: An Institutional Experience in Kumaun Region of Uttarakhand

Intrduction: Lung carcinoma is the most common causeof cancer related mortality worldwide. Lung carcinoma ismalignant lung neoplasm characterized by uncontrolledcell proliferation in lung tissue. Primary lung cancers arederived from epithelial cells. This present study was designedand conducted with an aim to evaluate demographics,imaging characteristics, staging of lung cancer by MDCT,cytopathological spectrum of lung cancers in Kumaun regionof Uttarakhand and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of CTguided FNAC in evaluation of suspected lung masses.Material and methods: This institution based prospectivecross-sectional study was conducted at Government medicalCollege and Swami Ram Cancer Hospital, Haldwani from2018 to 2020 for two years. Computed tomography guidedFNAC was done in 102 patients. After proper history andthrough clinical examination, patients were subjected to CTguided aspiration using aseptic precautions. Air-dried smearswere stained with May–Grunwald–Giemsa stain (MGG).Alcohol fixed smears were stained using routine Papanicolaou(Pap) and Hematoxyline & Eosine (H & E) method.Results: The study consisted of 102 patients in age groupof 33-86 years. There were 81 males (79.41%) and 21females (20.58%) and adequate sample was obtained in 94patients giving adequacy rate of 92.15%. The most commoncytological presentation was squamous cell carcinoma in 49patients (52.12%) followed by adenocarcinoma in 23 patients(24.46%). Pneumothorax was seen in 8 patients (7.84%) ofpatients and no patient required chest tube insertion. In ourstudy computed tomography (CT) guided FNAC was foundsuccessful in making the diagnosis in 91 cases (89.21%).Conclusion: Computed tomography (CT) guided FNAC is areliable, safe, less expensive, less time consuming, minimallyinvasive procedure with a high diagnostic accuracy forevaluation of suspected lung neoplasm.

Study of clinically-indicated replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters in old adults / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the safety of clinically-indicated replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) in old adults.@*Methods@#Total of 1 627 patients with peripheral intravenous catheters in emergency wards at a tertiary hospital in shanghai were recruited. Patients were randomly divided into an experimental group (817 cases) and control group (810 cases) by random digits tale method. PIVCs in the experiment were replaced only when clinical indications appeared, while PIVCs in the control group were routinely changed every 72-96 hours. Indwelling time, complications associated with PIVCs and nurse compliance were compared after indwelling peripheral intravenous catheters.@*Results@#PIVC indwelling time was (3.43±1.36) days in the experimental group, and (3.18±1.16) days in the control group ,there was significant difference between two groups (t value was 4.07, P<0.05). The incidence of phlebitis, occlusion, infiltration, and accidental removal in experimental group was 11.26% (92/817), 17.97% (146/817), 10.77% (88/817), 3.91% (32/817), while in the control group 9.88% (80/810), 15.06% (122/810), 11.23% (91/810), 3.70% (30/810). The two groups showed no statistically difference in catheter phlebitis, occlusion, infiltration, and accidental removal (χ2 values were 0.82, 2.33, 0.09, 0.05, P>0.05). The severity of phlebitis in the experiment group was higher than that in the control group, and there was significant difference between two groups (χ2 value was 20.99, P<0.05). Nurse compliance achieved in the experimental group 100.00% (817/817) was higher than that in the control group 87.65% (710/810), which showed statistically difference (χ2 value was 107.47, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Indwelling time in the clinically- indicated replacement group was longer than that of the routine replacement group. Peripheral intravenous catheters in old adults can be remove as clinically-indicated with a close monitoring of complications.

Comparison of clinical and immunological features between clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis and typical dermatomyositis / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To study the differences between clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) and typical dermatomyositis (DM) on clinical and immunological features.@*METHODS@#By collecting clinical data of 106 CADM patients and 158 DM patients from January 2010 to June 2019 in the department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, the clinical characteristics and immunological features in the two groups were compared, and the distribution characters and the clinical meanings of myositis autoantibodies were discussed in the two groups respectively. Myositis autoantibodies were measured by immunoblotting according to the manufacturers' instructions.@*RESULTS@#In the aspects of clinical manifestations, CADM presented more with onset of interstial lung diseases (ILD) compared with DM (20.7% vs. 7.6%, P=0.002), and CADM-ILD was more likely to be acute ILD (58.3% vs. 26%, P < 0.001), and there were no differences between CADM and DM in cutaneous manifestations, accompanied with connective tissue disease (CTD) and malignancy. In CADM, the positive rate of rheumatoid factors and antinuclear antibodies was lower in DM. The most common myositis specific autoantibodies (MSAs) in CADM were anti-MDA5 (36%), anti-PL-7 (11.2%) and anti-TIF-1γ (10.1%). The most common MSAs in DM were anti-Jo-1 (19.2%), anti-TIF-1γ (11.5%) and anti-MDA5 (11.5%). Anti-MDA5 was correlated with acute ILD and skin ulceration both in CADM and DM; in CADM, skin ulceration was not associated with the titer of anti-MDA5; while in DM, skin ulceration was associated with high titer of anti-MDA5. In DM, anti-TIF-1γ was correlated with heliotrope eruption, V/shawl neck sign, perionychia erythma and malignancy, and higher rate of malignancy was seen in all titers of the anti-TIF-1γ positive patients. In CADM, anti-TIF1-γ showed no correlation with clinical manifestations. The most common myositis associated autoantibody was anti-Ro-52 both in CADM and DM. In CADM, anti-Ro-52 was associated with Raynaud's phenomenon and chronic ILD, while in DM, anti-Ro-52 was associated with mechanic's hands, noninfectious fever and accompanied CTD.@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with DM, ILD is more likely to be acute in CADM. It is different between CADM and DM about the distribution of myositis autoantibodies and the clinical significance of the same myositis antibody, and the clinical significance of some myositis antibodies is related to titers.